Product Code Database
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"title": "Pulau Tekong"
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Pulau Tekong (Singapore English pronunciation: ), also known colloquially as Tekong or Tekong Island, is Singapore's largest outlying island. It lies off the northeastern coast of the mainland, to the east of Pulau Ubin. Since the 1980s, Pulau Tekong has been used by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) as a restricted military training ground, with public access prohibited. Transport for permitted personnel is provided via the SAF Changi Ferry Terminal located at Changi Beach.
Historically, various pre-colonial maps recorded the island under different names, and the origins of the name "Tekong" remain the subject of several theories. Pulau Tekong was previously inhabited by a multi-ethnic population of Malays, Chinese and Indians who established agricultural and fishing across the island. During the British colonial period, the island played a modest role in regional trade and rubber and vegetable farming sustained its economy. During the Japanese occupation of Singapore, residents of Tekong were subjected to forced labour, and many of the island's villages were eventually abandoned following the war.
Since the 1980s, Pulau Tekong has undergone significant land reclamation to support the Singaporean military. The original island, measuring about , was expanded through reclamation along the northwestern coast by absorbing nearby , including the former Pulau Tekong Kechil. As of now, its total land area is around , following the completion of the northwestern polder project. Further reclamation works, particularly along the southern coast, are still underway. Once fully completed, Pulau Tekong is projected to reach a total area of between and .
The toponym "Pulau Tekong" appears in the Franklin and Jackson's 1828 map as Po. Tukang (Pulo Tukang). The early name could have arisen because the island served as a Trade station for both residents of Pulau Ubin and the state of Johor. Tukang means merchants in this case. Additionally, between 1822 and 1852, British maps referred to the island by various names, including Great Tookong, Little Tookong, Pulo Takung, Tikong Besar and Tikong Kechi.Cacciafoco and Shia, "Singapore’s pre-colonial place names,” 109.
The origins of the name "tekong" are steeped in various legends and linguistic interpretations. One story suggests that seafarers navigating by the stars followed a particular celestial body known as the "tekong", which guided them to the island. Another tale recounts the capture of a pirate by a Chinese trading ship in Singapore's waters, where he was brought ashore and had his hair cropped, an act referred to in Malay as "ditokong," and in celebration of this event, islanders named the land Pulau Tokong or Pulau Tekong. A third theory links the name to early settlers from Pahang in modern-day Malaysia, who fled the Pahang Civil War and found refuge on the island, naming it Pulau Tekong in memory of their homeland's district, Teluk Tekong.Chen Bosheng and Leong Sze Lee, “From Desolation to Prosperity,” in A Retrospect on the Dust-Laden History: The Past and Present of Tekong Island in Singapore, (World Scientific, 2012), 15.
Linguistically, "Tekong" has multiple meanings across different languages. Tekong means "an obstacle", so-called because the island blocks the mouth of the Johor River.Savage, Victor R, and Brenda S. A Yeoh, Singapore Street Names: A Study of Toponymics, (Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2013), 30. Additionally, in the Kamus Dewan dictionary, "tekong" is linked to bamboo or sugarcane segments or a rock cleft that collects rainwater. In Indonesian, "tekong" can mean "something wavy or not straight," while in the Minangkabau dialect, it denotes heaviness. Some scholars also believe that "Tekong" originates from the Chinese dialect word "taikong," meaning "ship’s captain."
Over time, Pulau Tekong became home to numerous villages, including Kampong Selabin, Kampong Permatang, Kampong Pasir Merah, Kampong Unum, Kampong Sungei Belang, Kampong Ayer Samak, Kampong Pasir, Kampong Pengkalan Pakau, Kampong San Yong Kong Parit, Kampong San Yong Kong, Kampong Batu Koyok, Kampong Ladang, Kampong Seminei, Kampong Pahang, and the Chia Tong Quah Estate.“Singapore Road Map. Tekong,” National Archives Singapore, accessed February 22, 2025, https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/maps_building_plans/record-details/fb7c8458-115c-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad
Kampong Pahang served as the island's administrative hub, with its Penghulu (village head) coming from the village itself.Chen and Leong, “From Desolation to Prosperity,” 20. The first Penghulu, Ishak, was followed by Tengku Ahmad bin Tengku Sulong as the second, and Jemaat bin Awang as the third. Unlike other villages which focused on fishing or farming, the residents of Kampong Pahang primarily worked in administrative roles or in Changi. Pulau Tekong had a very small Indian community, with fewer than 20 Indians recorded on the island between 1957 and 1969, while the Chinese population, on the other hand, grew significantly in the early 20th century.Chen and Leong, “From Desolation to Prosperity,” 18.
The reason for Hakka being the majority of the Chinese population is that most of the Hokkien people and Teochew businessmen already had flourishing businesses on the mainland. When the Hakkas arrived, they decided to make a living on an island less inhabited. Most were inland , (cultivating rubber, vegetables, and raising poultry) with a few shop owners selling sundry goods.
In contrast, the Teochew community settled along the coast, earning their livelihood through fishing, or running grocery stores that sold local goods. Generally, the island’s agriculture included crops such as rubber, vegetables, tobacco, and coconuts which were processed, dried, and exported to Singapore. Overall, agriculture and fishing were the main occupations on Pulau Tekong, supplemented by employment in industry, commerce, and public institutions.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Tekong Island played a vital role as a port. With sailboats being the primary mode of transport at the time, vessels traveling between Tanjong Sulat, Kota Tinggi, and Singapore would dock at Tekong Island when faced with rough seas. Sailors took the opportunity to trade local goods with merchants on the island while also purchasing daily necessities. Traders from Changi and Pulau Ubin were actively involved in commerce on Tekong Island, and its advantageous location spurred economic development, transforming Kampong Selabin into a thriving commercial district.
However, on 15 February 1942, Singapore was formally surrendered to the Japanese.Kennedy, When Singapore Fell, 1 . Before the Japanese army took control of Singapore, the British had destroyed military equipment (batteries, generators, and vehicles) and left behind sugar, rice, cookies, and cloth canopies on Tekong Island.Chen, Bosheng, and Leong Sze Lee, “The Impact of World War II,” in A Retrospect on the Dust-Laden History: The Past and Present of Tekong Island in Singapore. (World Scientific, 2012), 64. Prior to the Japanese arrival on Tekong Island, women and children sought refuge in the forest, while the men stayed at road intersections to guard against any Japanese intrusion. Meanwhile, members of a local fundraising group burned all relevant documents to avoid persecution by the Japanese.Chen and Leong, “The Impact of World War II,” 65.
A week after the Japanese forces took control of Singapore, they occupied Tekong Island and the Japanese army appointed Penghulu Tengku Ahmad as the village leader and awarded a three-flower medal of honor. Shen Mu Cun received a two-flower medal and was appointed as the leader of the Chinese community. Among the Malay residents, dozens were selected, given a one-flower medal and were tasked with conveying Japanese orders and organising the residents. During the Japanese occupation, men were forced to remove railway tracks, collect metal, cutting trees in rubber plantations, while the Malays were instructed to harvest coconuts, produce coconut oil, and craft attap leaves.
Then, on 2 September 1945, Japan signed the surrender documents, marking the end of World War II."Celebrating the End of the War," National Air and Space Museum, accessed 21 February 2025. Following their defeat, Japan withdrew from Tekong and Singapore, and the British resumed control of the island.
After 1965, Singapore experienced rapid development, leading to a gradual decline of Tekong Island, much like other villages in highly developed nations. The island's youth were drawn to Singapore's growth, leaving only the elderly and children behind.Chen, Bosheng, and Leong Sze Lee, “Introduction,” in A Retrospect on the Dust-Laden History: The Past and Present of Tekong Island in Singapore. (World Scientific, 2012), 1. Mr. Chen Bo Sheng, 69, a former resident of Tekong, explained that there were essentially two groups: the older generation, who were accustomed to life on Tekong, and the younger generation, eager to explore the world and improve their standard of living.Jocelyn Yu Ying Lee, Colin Ke Long Lim, See Mun Loh, and Irwin Chuan Siang Yeo, “Islands in jeopardy: how Singapore's offshore islands lost their heritage” (Thesis, Nanyang Technological University, 2008), 24, https://hdl.handle.net/10356/14853. He noted that while many older residents weren’t initially keen on moving, they recognised that relocating to the mainland would provide better career opportunities for their children.
Additionally, the island’s purpose began to shift considerably as it came under the focus of several land development bodies, such as the Housing and Development Board, the Ministry of National Development, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and the Ministry of Defence.
The government’s relocation project was a lengthy and complex process that lasted about eight months. Initially, residents were informed by the authorities that they would need to relocate to the mainland under the new policies and following this, land surveyors measured their properties and assessed the number of crops and livestock they owned. Although the authorities provided financial compensation, many residents felt the amounts offered were inadequate. Former resident, Mr. Lee shared his dissatisfaction:
We were given just $150 for a large durian tree that bore fruit annually. But during the durian season, that tree alone could have earned us $300.
The initial reclamation took place between 1981 and 1985 on the southern side of Pulau Tekong Besar, where 540 hectares of shallow foreshore and seabed were reclaimed.L. S. Chia, L. M. Chou, and H. Khan, The coastal environmental profile of Singapore, (International Center for Living Aquatic Resources, 1988), 44. The project, costing approximately S$620 million, involved the use of 33 million cubic meters of dredged material sourced from offshore areas near Changi and imported from Indonesia.Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary debates: Official report. (1981, February 20). Pulau Tekong Besar (reclamation) (Vol. 40). Singapore: s.n., cols. 289–290. (Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN) The Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) 1991 Concept Plan designated portions of Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong for high-density housing to support a growing population in the future.Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary debates: Official report. (1992, January 6). Planning and Developing a city of excellence (Vol. 59). Singapore: s.n., col. 50. (Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN); Urban Redevelopment Authority. (n.d.). Concept Plan 1991. Accessed, 22 February 2025, https://www.ura.gov.sg/uol/concept-plan.aspx?p1=View-Concept-Plan&p2=Concept-Plan1991 The URA also envisioned that the islands would be connected to the mainland by the Mass Rapid Transit system (MRT).Urban Redevelopment Authority (Singapore), Living the next lap: Towards a tropical city of excellence, (Urban Redevelopment Authority, 1991), 16.
Starting in February 2002, Malaysian media began reporting claims from local politicians about the potential negative impact of the Pulau Tekong reclamation work on Johor.Johor MB claims S’pore reclamation narrowing port route. (2002, February 27). The Straits Times, 8. Malaysia expressed concerns that the reclamation could encroach on its territory or alter the boundary between Singapore and Malaysia.Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary debates: Official report. (2002, April 5). Land Reclamation off Pulau Tekong (Impact on Malaysia) (Vol. 74). Singapore: s.n., col. 466. (Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN) Furthermore, Malaysia expressed concerns that the reclamation could impact the shipping route to Pasir Gudang Port, as the channel had become both narrower and shallower and also lead to alterations to the current flow in the Johor Straits, potentially causing flooding and harming the local fishing industry.
At the time, Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan dismissed Malaysia's accusations, asserting that the Pulau Tekong reclamation was carried out within Singapore's borders. He also emphasized that the Singapore Maritime Port Authority (MPA) routinely monitored silt levels in the shipping lane to ensure it remained navigable. Furthermore, hydraulic modeling studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of the reclamation on currents, tides, and water quality, which concluded that the project would not have any harmful effects on the surrounding waters.
The issue was ultimately presented to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and Malaysia was unsuccessful in convincing ITLOS to halt Singapore's reclamation work.Asad Latif, (2005, May 17). Minister optimistic about resolving S’pore-KL disputes, The Straits Times, 2. Nonetheless, by the end of 2003, ITLOS recommended that both countries collaborate and consult on various measures, including the formation of an independent group of experts to study the effects of Singapore's reclamation and suggest solutions to address any potential negative impacts. Singapore responded by stating that these assurances had already been provided to Malaysia prior to the case being brought before ITLOS.Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary debates: Official report. (2003, October 16). Points of agreement between the governments of Singapore and Malaysia (status) (Vol. 76). Singapore: s.n., cols. 3113–3116. (Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN) On April 26, 2005, after negotiations, both nations signed a comprehensive and final settlement.
Land reclamation works on the northwestern coasts were completed in September 2025, while reclamation off the southern coast is currently ongoing. In contrast to other land reclamation works at other parts of the country, Singapore has been using the polder method to create new land for Pulau Tekong.
The Basic Military Training Centre is based here, where recruits to the Singapore Army are trained in basic military operations. The School of Infantry Specialists (SISPEC) was formerly situated at Rocky Hill Camp. A new training area, called Sanyongkong Field Camp, has been completed on the reclaimed land south of Dogra Bridge. Built by the Combat Engineers, this field camp will be used to train Infantry and Guards battalions.
In March 2004, Pulau Tekong was the hiding place for a group of armed robbers comprising two Indonesians and a Malaysian. The robbers had fled from Malaysia, sparking off a massive coordinated manhunt involving Air Force helicopters, commandos, ground surveillance radar, troops from the 2nd Singapore Infantry Regiment, troops from the 40th Singapore Armoured Regiment and the Singapore Police Force. All three were caught by police officers; two by members of the Gurkha Contingent and one by the Police Coast Guard's Special Task Squadron. They were later charged with illegal entry and possession of firearms."Massive manhunt on Pulau Tekong for 3 armed robbers fleeing Johor". ChannelNewsAsia. Archived from the original on April 7, 2004. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
On 25 September 2006, the Combat Engineers of Singapore Armed Forces handed over a new field camp, Sanyongkong Field Camp, named after a depopulated village Kampong Sanyongkong, after a year of construction. The field camp would allow for longer training periods without returning to mainland Singapore."Army Field Training Site Ready" (Press release). 30 September 2006. Archived from the original on 11 May 2007.
On 29 May 1990, national servicemen spotted a family of three Indian elephants which had swum 1.5 km (0.9 mi) across the Straits of Johor."Runaway elephants on Pulau Tekong". Singapore National Library Board. Archived from the original on 2014-04-21. Retrieved 2007-07-15. The Singapore Zoo worked with the Malaysian Wildlife Department's Elephant Capture and Translocation Unit to help in its plan to recapture the runaway elephants. On 10 June, all three elephants were captured and relocated back to the jungles of Johor.
Currently, it also provides habitat to some wild animals that are rarely seen in the main island of Singapore, such as the leopard cat, Sunda slow loris and Sunda pangolin. The extended Pulau Tekong will massively replace all training grounds, like Mandai, Marsiling, Seletar, Nee Soon, Lower Seletar, Upper Thomson and Simpang. The island also houses Singapore's second hot spring, Pulau Tekong Hot Spring in the former grounds of Kampung Unum.
The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC) and National Parks Board (NParks) has conducted coastal protection and restoration works at the north-eastern coastline of Pulau Tekong to prevent further coastal erosion. The NBC stated that the erosion had resulted from extensive movements of ships and strong waves in the area. A study NParks commissioned in 2006 found that of the north-eastern shore is most severely affected.
The coastal erosion poses a threat to the of mangroves in Pulau Tekong which is one of the largest mangrove areas in Singapore with a mature and undisturbed habitat. Local ecologists point out that the island is extremely rich in biodiversity and resident to some rare or endangered species,Victor R. Savage, Environment and Climate Change in Asia: Ecological Footprints and Green Prospects, 2012. including the Fern Dipteris conjugata.
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